G-forces

President Donald Trump is the sore thumb among leaders meeting in Canada on Friday. Last year’s G7 pledges were already watered down, and he hadn’t then left the global climate accord or started erecting trade barriers. The forum loses relevance if it lacks U.S. economic backing.

Context News

Leaders of the Group of Seven nations are set to meet in Charlevoix, Quebec on June 8 for a two-day summit – their first gathering since the United States launched tariffs on steel and aluminum imports that affect Canada, Mexico and the European Union, among other exporters.

President Donald Trump will be “sticking to his guns” on issues such as trade, according to Larry Kudlow, his top economic adviser, who addressed reporters in Washington on June 6. Trump tweeted on June 7 that he would use the summit to “fight for our country on Trade.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the summit host, and British Prime Minister Theresa May are among the participants who have criticized U.S. tariffs. The G7 also includes Japan, Italy, France and Germany. The European Union is represented by European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.